Chapter 34 – Out Of The Old I've Gotta Find My Way Into The New

Amber's POV

Rosalie gave me a tender kiss as we went our separate ways. Mike and I went to go give our hellos to the soon to be married couple before we changed into our wedding clothes as well.

After rounds of hugs were exchanged Mike and I were able to change.

We both had to hand it to Alice that she was amazingly talented.

It took me a few minutes to find Rosalie, but when I did I was nothing short of stunned.

Rose is always a vision, but the dress that she had on made her breathtaking.

I mean that truly, it took me a few seconds to actually remember that I was supposed to be breathing.

Alice did indeed, make sure that we were color coordinated.

Rose's maroon dressed was perfect. It reminded me of a vintage cocktail dress from the 1920's. It had a lace top with a flower type of design and the same was used as a trim for the bottom. It was a classic hourglass style where the top hugged her body perfectly and the bottom flared out. It would be perfect for spinning her around while we danced.

I must have been standing there with my mouth open for awhile, because Mike decides to elbow me in my side….hard.

The little fucker thought he was so funny as he pats me on the back and walks away laughing.

Rosalie's POV

After I got dressed I decided to walk around to look for Amber or Mike.

I can't help but admire the property. It truly is beautiful.

Amber told me that this place use to be an old saw mill, but that it had been out of use for a long time.

The family that owns it decided to turn this property and it's buildings into an event destination.

Mainly weddings, family reunions, photoshoots, even a music video or two.

It was a great way to keep the property in the family and make it profitable.

As I make my way around a corner I'm stopped dead in my tracks at the sight of Amber.

She was rolling her dress shirt sleeves up to her forearms and the way that the sun was hitting her made it look like the heavens themselves were bathing her in their light as if anointing her.

I hate to admit it, but Alice was right, as usual. Seeing Amber in her outfit was better than seeing it on a hanger.

My imagination could never do this heavenly sight justice.

As I already knew, Amber outfit matched my maroon dresses color.

Amber had on a maroon dress shirt paired with a pair of black dress pants. I smiled to myself when I realized that instead of dress shoes, my love had on a pair of black cowboy boots. I could hear my mate now explaining that these were acceptable shoes to wear, because they weren't just regular boots they were 'dress boots'.

What surprised me was how much the added touch of a pair of black suspenders could make me feel tingles in all new areas.

I never knew that I had a thing for suspenders, but Alice sure did…. of course.

I doubt that it actually is the suspenders as much as it is the fact that they are on Amber.

Amber has that effect on pretty much everything.

I'm worried that Amber was hurt when Mike had elbowed her. That's what finally snapped me out of my drooling staring.

I noticed that Mike had a matching outfit to compliment Amber's.

Mike was wearing the same exact thing except he was actually wearing dress shoes. His pants were dark blue with a complimenting lighter blue dress blue shirt. His suspenders were a brown leather color. The only true difference between the two of them was that Mike had a dark blue bow tie. Amber opted to forgo one and go for a more casual look and leave the top few buttons of her shirt unbuttoned .

I realized that Amber was giving me the signal for me to give her a twirl, so that she could see the whole dress.

Of course I obliged, how could I deny her anything.

I'm startled when Amber suddenly brings me into her arms and is kissing me with unrestrained passion.

We both break away breathlessly when there is a loud group of people wolf whistling.

We break apart, but we don't leave each other's arms.

I idly play with Amber's suspenders as I hide my face in my love's broad chest. I swoon as Amber kisses my head. I can only guess at what hand gesture Amber gives to the cat-callers, but it isn't hard to guess from the laughter.

Mike's POV

The wedding was a success and went off without a hitch, thankfully.

Though like most weddings there was/is quite a bit of drama to go around.

Amber and I were not informed that Mattie was going to be there and sadly where Mattie goes she likes to cause a scene at least where Amber is concerned.

It started with the ceremony itself.

Amber and I are not officially in the wedding party, but we were both asked to escort the guests to there seat. Somehow Johnny and Sarah ended up with too many bridesmaids, so Johnny asked Amber to walk the extra bridesmaid down the aisle and stand with the other acting grooms so that the count was even.

Tony was suppose to be paired with Mattie, but unsurprisingly Amber actually ended up having to be paired up with her.

That's the main reason why Amber and I were not officially asked to be in the wedding party, the fact that the closeness of our friend group just isn't there anymore.

It's almost like Amber and I are after thoughts.

It doesn't matter that Amber and I have known everyone years before Mattie and her friends came into the picture. They always sided with what Mattie wanted.

Example? Mattie said she was 'busy' and couldn't make the wedding.

Johnny and Sarah called Amber asking for a favor, they wanted a free and wonderful property that they could use for the wedding, hence why it's being held so close to Fairchild instead of Nevada where both of them are stationed.

Amber holding on to past loyalties, called in a favor and here we are.

I'm assuming that having heard that Amber would be in attendance, magically Mattie was able to make the wedding last minute.

Mattie wanted to be in the wedding party even though everything was already arranged. She also wanted Amber to be her partner for the wedding party, and our 'friends' saw nothing wrong with it.

Even after Amber explained that she would rather not have anything to do with her ex or how uncomfortable she was, they sided with Mattie.

The only reason Amber and I didn't switch was that neither of us felt right rearranging what the bride and groom wanted for their wedding.

This distance with our friends has been something that has grown bigger and bigger as time went on.

Until today Amber and I never realized that our friendship is almost non existent at this point.

Something that Amber and I didn't want to see for a long time, but the fact that the evidence is plain as day right in our faces is hard to ignore.

Weddings are suppose to be about beginnings, but unfortunately Amber and I are in agreement that this will be the end for us and them.

It's not like any of them would notice that we stopped calling or interacting with them, well until they wanted to call us for a favor that is.

Those calls will be now going straight to voice-mail.

It's always hard when friendships end, but that's apart of life.

Sadly most friends that come into your life only stick with you for a time then leave, and that's okay. Everything has a season and these friendships are at the end of theirs.

This wedding is a good way for us and them to say goodbye and celebrate the friendship that we did share.

Sadly Mattie has been unnecessarily needling Rosalie. Mattie's wandering hands alone would have had me seeing red if that was my girl.

Rose and I both have scowls on our faces as we see Mattie forcing Amber into a dance. A slow dance.

As soon as it's over I chuckle to myself how Amber makes a run for the liquor.

After fixing herself a very heavy handed whiskey drink and downing it in the same breath, Amber signals me and I make my way over. Amber meets me halfway with a beer for both of us. Thankfully Rosalie has agreed to be our designated driver tonight.

I tip my beer bottle towards Rosalie and tell Amber "You might want to go take care of that. I know you've done a good job at showing Rose that she's your future and Mattie is your past, but you might want to go make sure that she knows that for certain. You know how overbearing Mattie can be and she goes for the kill shot with people's insecurities. She's become really petty, especially after your backup"

When Amber looks over at Rosalie she let's out a low growl at what we both know is Mattie insulting Rose.

After some quick instructions to me, Amber makes her way over to rescue Rosalie….. again.

I have to admit Amber really knows how to fix things.

This plan of hers is beyond brilliant and will prove to Rosalie that to Amber, she's what matters.